Cherno Omar Barry was, until recently, the Programme Officer responsible for Higher Education and Culture at The Gambia National Commission for UNESCO.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English with the Saint Mary's University, Halifax, Canada through the Extension Programme. He also holds a Maîtrise-ès-lettres, a Master Deux and a Doctorat-ès-Lettres from the Université de Limoges, France.

Dr Barry has been teaching since 1987 and has taught in several prestigious schools both private and government. He was also a French lecturer at the Alliance Française for 12 years where he rose to be the first Gambian presenter of a French programme on Radio Syd, Radio Gambia, Sud FM and City Limits before being the Senior Cultural Manager responsible for live band performances, film projections, arts exhibitions, and organising conferences and seminars at the Alliance Francaise. He is the second Gambian appointed as French lecturer under the French Unit of the University of The Gambia and has taught for 8 years at the University where he rose to the position of Head of the French Department and Managing Editor of the University Magazine and Brochure before leaving to expand his experience at the National Commission for UNESCO.

He has published several articles both in The Gambia and outside on Gambian Literature and Education. In the course of his research works, he has travelled to several countries in Africa, Europe and America to present papers on different issues ranging from African literature, sociology of education and comparative literature. He is a recognised consultant in Education and Culture. Some of his publications can be viewed on his website dedicated to Gambian Writings and Publications at www.gamwriters.com.

He speaks fluently three national languages as well as French and English. He is the founder of the UNESCO Club at the University of The Gambia and also the pioneer of the Writers Association of The Gambia for which he is the General Secretary.